Decoding the France Visa Filling Checklist: A Guide for Study Aspirants

Applying through VFS

Introduction

The first thing to do after getting accepted into a French university is to start preparing for a
French student visa. Just like other countries, France has immigration control policies that
regulate the entry and stay of students planning to study in France.

Now if you are a student from an EU/EEA country, you will not require a student visa to study in
France. However, if you are a student outside an EU/EEA country, you need to fulfill certain
France study visa requirements.

Before applying for a student visa, it is essential to do informative research regarding various
requirements, guidelines, and procedures for a successful visa application. Additionally, the type
of France student visa you need depends on the course type and its duration.

Suppose your ideal destination of study is France, or you are preparing for a France student visa
application. In that case, the below information will help you understand everything you need
to know related to France's study visa, types, document checklist, application process, and
more.

Types Of France Student Visa

The length of a France student visa depends on the course type you want to pursue, the course
level, and the program duration. Below are the different types of visas students can apply for to
study in France.

1. Short Stay Visa [visa de court séjour pour études]

Short-stay visas to study in France are governed by European regulations, which allow students
to stay up to 3 months. Students who have short-stay visas do not require a French residence
permit.

Who is it for?
● For students who need to stay for a study period shorter than three months.
● Students who want to enter France to attend an interview.
 ● Students enrolled in short training programs, internships, and conferences.
● Students appearing for an entrance exam.
● Ideal for business trips or family visits as well.

Note:
Short-stay visas are non-renewable, and students will not have to go through a Campus France
interview to apply for this visa.

However, students who enter France to take entrance exams or interview at higher French
education institutions can apply for a long-stay visa after clearing their exams. To add more, a
short-stay visa is only granted when the result of the entrance exam is supposed to be declared
within 90 days.

2. Long Stay Visa [visa de long séjour études VLS-TS]

Long stay visa allows students to stay in France for up to one year. Students whose course
duration exceeds 90 days can apply for a long-stay visa, and if you intend to stay longer than
your visa validity, you will need to apply for France’s residence permit.

Who is it for?
● Students who want to study France between 3 to 1 year.

Note:
Long stay visa is renewable and can be renewed two months before the expiry through your
university. To apply for a long-stay visa, students must have to complete the Campus France
application process before applying for a France student visa.

France Student Visa Requirements

To apply for a France student visa, students must meet the following requirements:

Age Requirements:
● Students must be of at least 18 years of age to avail France student visa.
● There is no maximum age limit for students planning to study in France.

Language Requirements:
Students who have applied for French Programs must have:
 ● French language proficiency certificate
● A minimum of level 7 in TEF for(Test d’Evaluation de Français)
● A minimum score of DELF/DALF (if required)

Students who have applied for English Programs must have:

● Minimum required score in IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, or C1 Advanced.

● Usually, a minimum band score of 6 or MOI is needed to easily avail student visa.

Acceptance Letter:
● An official acceptance letter from a French university is a crucial requirement for a
French student visa.

Note: After receiving an acceptance letter from French institutions, students must apply on the
Etudes en France platform at least 2 months before their intake date. This will help prevent any
delays that can occur in the visa application process.

France Student Visa Documents Requirements

Required Documents Checklist:

Being aware of necessary documents can help smoothen the application process. The list below
covers the required France student visa documents checklist that students need to submit at
the French embassy or consulate in their home country during an interview with a consular
officer.

1. Long stay application form for a duration of more than 90 days or duly completed and signed
short stay application form for a duration of less than 90 days.
2. Two passport-size photographs
3. A copy of the Passport
4. A printout of your Campus France ID number
5. Visa fees payment confirmation receipt
6. Letter of registration from the academic Institution
7. Cover letter explaining the study project and a CV/Resume
8. Proof of funds – tuition fees + a minimum of 615 Euros/month, for the complete academic
term
9. Proof of health insurance with coverage valid in France
10. Copy of your round-trip airline ticket (if you are studying for six months or less) or a one-way
ticket if you are studying in France for more than six months)
11. OFII form (Office Français de Immigration et de Integration)
12. Proof of residency in France such as a lease, electricity bill, title of property, etc. for a
minimum of three months or a hotel reservation
13. Copy of the CV
14. Copies of the degree and academic diplomas, certificates
15. Certificate of criminal record

Check out: How To Write Perfect SOP(Statement of Purpose) For France Student Visa

Financial Documentation:

Submitting correct and adequate financial documentation is very important. Financial proof
indicates that you have sufficient funds to support your stay in France.

Below are essential financial documents that need to be submitted to fulfill France's student
visa financial requirements.

● Bank statements for the last 3 months

● Income proof from the rented property
● A monthly minimum of 615 Euros is required in a bank account
● Last 3 years' income tax return (ITR)
● Students receiving scholarship need to submit a statement indicating the duration and
amount of the grant
● Covering letter (mentioning social situation and financial elements)
● ID proof
● Last 3 months' payslips or proof of a professional situation

Health Insurance:

To apply for a France visa, students need to show proof of health insurance, valid in France. The
health insurance should have coverage of at least €30,000 covering expenses caused due to
medical reasons, urgent health attention, and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.
Accommodation Proof:

Another essential document to submit during your France visa application process is proof of
accommodation. Below are the documents that need to be submitted:

● Affidavit and proof of address

● Copy of ID card
● Copy of the property deed or lease agreement
● Last income tax paper or copy of the family book (livret de famille)
● Rental contract if you will be staying in a rented place.

Same Person Affidavit with Multiple Names:

Do you know that having multiple versions of your name can be a major reason behind a France
visa rejection?

Having a different name on an education degree, passport, or on any other legal documents can
cause trouble; hence, an affidavit is required to establish the truth of a statement.

To give an example, your name is Abhimanyu Sharma, and your name in your education degree
is Abhimanyu Bhai Sharma. When you submit these documents without an affidavit, it will
indicate that these documents are of two different persons and increase the chances of your
visa getting rejected.

Similarly different versions of names are created using the phrases Kumar, Singh, Ben, Kumari,
etc. Hence, getting a “One And Same Person Affidavit” drafted by a certified lawyer will help
you prove that all different versions of your name belong to the same person.

Apply For France Student Visa With Edugo Abroad

France is the most preferred destination for Indian students but also has a high number of visa
rejections. According to Schengen Visa Statistics 2022, the French student visa rejection rate
was observed to be 20.12%.

For this reason, students must consult with an experienced France Visa Consultant in India to
help with all paperwork with ease. Edugo Abroad is a leading overseas education consultant in
India. Till now, we have achieved 500+ France Student Visa success and helped thousands of
students realize their study abroad dream.

Contact our expert counselors today to get started!

Check out our Latest France VFS Checklist 2023 to know more about additional documents
needed while applying for the France VFS.

How To Apply For France Student Visa?

Step 1: Log on to www.inde.campusfrance.org. Click on the “Register Online” box to create an

account.

Step 2: After creating an account, fill necessary details such as Academic records, Language
skills, and CV+SOP. Upload documents, academic records, and photographs. Make sure that all
mandatory fields are filled completely.

Step 3: After document submission, send file no. to the Campus France office for file review and
to request an appointment.

Step 4: Appear for the Campus France interview with all mandatory documents and Campus
France fee payment receipt.

Step 5: After the academic interview completion, schedule an appointment with VFS-France for
submitting documents, photocopies, receipts, and passports.

Suggested Video To Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyEuoZLog-Q&t=1s

VFS France Appointment Booking and Submission Process

Students can schedule their appointment with VFS France on the online portal
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/ where you will have to create a France Visas account. After taking a
VFS appointment through the France Visa portal, submit your application.

Attend your appointment and submit all necessary documents to the consulate. He/She will
review your application, and collect the visa application fee and biometric data (photo and
fingerprints). Moreover, make sure to keep your passport and copies of all your supporting
documents in the right order when forwarding to the consulate.
Bottom Line

When applying for a France student visa, students should be extremely careful with the
application process and try not to give a single reason to reject their visa application. However,
the France visa application process is a bit complex and requires expert guidance and support
throughout the process.

Well, that’s what we are here for!

Edugo Abroad is a trusted France visa consultant having years of experience in assisting
students with their visa applications. Our professional counselors always stand by students' side
to guide them through the complete A to Z process.

If you need help with your visa application, please feel free to contact our team today!

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